BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)

Subject: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 12:59 PM

Folks, I am stumped. I have searched using google and cannot find a thing like a small item I am going to list on ebay. I *think* it is a stylised menorah, but the symbols on it, 12 in all, look more zodiacal to me than anything else. It holds nine candles. No marks on it; it is metal, probably aluminium.

I am not sure just what to call it so thought I'd throw it out here and see if any of you can help me stop scratching my head.:-) Thanks, in advance and please CLICK HERE and also see the next one. Sorry they are slightly blurry; the settings on my camera got messed up...also, I know I need to scoot the ruler to the end for an accurate read.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 01:01 PM

Kat.. the photo site is asking me to sign in so no access... sorry

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 01:03 PM

PS how about a title:- 'Metal Candlestick for 9 candles..possibly zodiacal' and make sure photos are clear.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 01:12 PM

Thanks, Mike. Sorry about that. I had the access on Private. It is now publicly available.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 01:47 PM

Was hoping the photo would help but unfortunately not..... I would stick to my suggested one LOL... but leave it with you eh???
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Melissa
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 02:03 PM

I'd probably call it "Small candleholder (menorah?)"

it looks like a menorah to me, but I don't think I've ever seen those symbols before.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 03:19 PM

It's NOT a menorah, since it has nine candlesticks. Memorahs have seven, I believe.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 03:22 PM

It has 8, like a mehorah.

If it had lips it would be a labia menorah...

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: open mike
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 03:27 PM

hopefully someone recognizes the 12 symbols...
is there a jewish zodiac?

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:22 PM

Kabbalistic menorah?

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:23 PM

Well I was thinking maybe Zoastrian but on reconsider, I think it is a bit of psuedo pagan accessory. Maybe picked up in a witchcraft shop?

I have had a search on religious and pagan symbols and there appears to be a bit of this and that on your item.

I would just call it a 9 taper brass candle holder.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: CarolC
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:35 PM

Apparently, the seven candle menorahs are for use in the temple, and nine candle menoras are for Chanukah. That looks like it might be a Chanukah menorah for someone who has some new age sensibilities.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Melissa
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:37 PM

There was only enough oil to burn one night..it lasted eight.
Eight candles and a 'helper' (which is the one used to light the others, called something that starts with a 'shin'..'shamish' or something like that) Eight nights to celebrate the oil.

..not that it really has a lot to do with the subject at hand, just thought I'd throw it in.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 05:13 PM

Bought second hand at a tag sale or in a shop in New England, year ago. Looks too used and old to be from the new age stuff, but maybe from the 50/60s? Even the symbols don't exactly coincide with the zodiac. I'll see if I can get a better picture and put it up. And, it is nine candles..eight in front, one on top.

Thanks! BRB,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 05:35 PM

There are slightly better photos up now.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Melissa
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 05:45 PM

are all the symbols painted on, or just the smallish ones?

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 06:54 PM

It's hard to tell from the photos, but they are all etched, including the small ones, then painted.

Thanks, folks.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 07:33 PM

I think it has to be a menorah, they can have nine candles sometimes.

Maybe the symbols are for the 12 tribes of Israel?

The style suggests an Asian origin to me, maybe from the Jewish community of Kerala?

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Beer
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 07:53 PM

I don't have a clue but I'm finding this thread to be very interesting.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 08:23 PM

symbols of the tribes of Israel

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 10:18 PM

Me, too, Adrien!:-)

Jack! I think you've got it. While the symbols on mine don't look exactly like the ones in your link, there are enough "like" clues that I think that is what it must be... a stylised version. Thanks!

Thanks to all of you!

BTW, another question, probably up GeorgianSilver's alley...is it better to leave the patina on antique silver or clean it up before putting in auction?

Thanks, again!

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: frogprince
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 11:00 PM

It's obviously a display holder for either 9 big "stogies" or 9 nice big fat "doobies"!

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 02:17 AM

Kat.... anything silver, generally looks better when cleaned but only experience can tell if an item is better polished or left as it is.... if you send me a couple of pics of the item I can advise... will PM e-mail addy.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 09:25 AM

My mistake: some menorahs do have nine candles.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 10:01 AM

That's it- I was thinking maybe the CHINESE zodiac, because of the snake, but the tribes work.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: frogprince
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 02:49 PM

Kat, check the "craft projects using the unusual thread" I think you'll see what I mean. :)

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 03:01 PM

That is truly gross, fp. I'm all for re-purposing *found* objects/household goods, but not that.:-<

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 04:44 PM

When in doubt, DON'T clean the object is the best rule of thumb. You might remove something that should be there or that the new owner will want to address themselves. You might even want to point out in your text that this is a solid piece, it has a patina of some sort, and (for example) "aside from a light rinse with a clean cloth and warm water the patina on this item has not been disturbed." You are suggesting your own care of this denotes the piece has some value.

If you use a few keywords in your listing title (and this is where the subhead is useful for 50 cents more) "Brass" "Menorah" "Seasonal" "Decorative" "Candleholder" "Vintage" (50's - 60s') along those lines, you can hit enough topics that someone looking for any number of kinds of objects will stumble upon your listing.

It's a good time of year to sell something like that.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 05:42 PM

There are so-so pix up at the previous link, of the two napkin rings. The one with the cherub would be worth a pretty penny if its arm with the bed vase wasn't broken off, but that's the way it came to us.

Thanks, SRS, for the suggestions.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 10:53 PM

I have a couple of old brass bookends from my great aunt's house that were broken and mended, and I think they probably are the same period as your cherub. I haven't tried to sell them, I don't know if someone could take them apart again and repair them professionally, or if they're worth it. Looks like they took a header off of a high shelf. :-/

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 11:04 PM

That cherub is from the 1880s. I found it listed on an auction site. Intact and cleaned up it brought in $500+ and I found one elsewhere for sale at $1,000. As it is, it kind of looks like a Roman statue with the broken off arm, so maybe someone will like it anyway. His face, etc. are much more charming-looking than in the pix. I need to find a better camera.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: EBarnacle
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 11:12 PM

It's a Chanukah menorah. The eight candle holders in front are for the days of Chanukah and the elevated one in back is a holder for the Shamus [pronounced shah-muss] candle, which is used to light the other candles.

Subject: RE: BS: What is it? Name my listing for ebay:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 03:05 PM

Thanks, EBarnacle!